Social Housing in Central Region Undergoing Renovations and Retrofits

GANDER, NEWFOUNDLAND and LABRADOR--(Marketwire - Feb. 28, 2011) - The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador today announced more than $1 million in equally cost-shared renovation and retrofit funding for 183 Newfoundland and Labrador social and community based housing units in the central region. This funding, which is part of the federal/provincial affordable housing investment announced in May 2009, is significantly extending the life of these homes. 

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC); and the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation, made the announcement today.

"The Government of Canada is proud to have contributed to the renovation and retrofitting of 183 homes," said Minister MacKay. "The renovations to the units are helping to provide quality, affordable housing for families and individuals in the central region, while also contributing to the economic and social well-being of communities throughout the province." 

"This work is part of a long-term comprehensive renovation and retrofit program, and thanks to our combined federal/provincial funding commitment, is helping ensure that we have affordable social housing that lasts well into the future," said Minister King. "Since April 2009 approximately 563 social or community-based housing properties have been renovated in the central region to date, under this program."

The funding was made available through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs during the global recession. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for the construction of new and the renovation of existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in low-cost loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure. The federal and provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $58 million under the amended Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program Agreement. 

The Government of Canada wants to improve the quality of existing social housing for low-income seniors, single parent families, recent immigrants and Aboriginal households. Canada's Economic Action Plan provides $850 million under the Affordable Housing Initiative to provinces and territories for the renovation and retrofit of existing social housing.

The funding is being used for the replacement of exterior components such as roofing, siding, windows and doors, and interior components such as flooring, drywall, doors, cupboards, counters and fixtures such as tubs, sinks and showers.

As part of Budget 2010: The Right Investments – For Our Children and Our Future, the provincial government is investing $27 million for housing infrastructure projects, affordable housing and increased maintenance funding over the coming fiscal year. This renovation and retrofit work is also in keeping with the goals of the provincial government's Social Housing Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador – Secure Foundations, which outlines a new long-term vision for social housing aimed at improving the housing circumstances of lower-income households and helping to create healthier communities. A copy of the social housing plan is available at www.nlhc.nl.ca/SocialHsingPlan/report.pdf.

Canada's Economic Action Plan builds on the Government of Canada's commitment in 2008 of more than $1.9 billion, over five years, to improve and build new affordable housing and help the homeless. More information on this and other measures in Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at: www.actionplan.gc.ca. 

To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan.

BACKGROUNDER

Renovation and Retrofit Projects – Central Region

Project Name	Community	Total Federal/Provincial Funding	Units
CBH - Arnold's Cove Senior Citizens	Arnold's Cove	$40,000	20
CBH - Random Interfaith Senior Citizens	Clarenville	$44,000	16
NLHC - Country Road	Fogo	$18,500	1
CBH – Crossroads	Gander	$112,000	4
NLHC – Riverloop	George's Point	$23,000	2
CBH - Grand Falls	Grand Falls - Windsor	$150,000	20
NLHC - Hennessey, Edwards, Cater	Grand Falls - Windsor	$277,000	53
CBH - Harbour Breton Lions Seniors	Harbour Breton	$32,000	8
NLHC - Main Road	Horwood	$19,373	1
CBH - North Haven Manor-Central Health	Lewisporte	$50,000	10
CBH -Bay D'Espoir Seniors Care	Milltown	$65,000	12
CBH-Bonavista North Interfaith-Central East	New Wes Valley - Badger's Quay	$75,000	12
CBH - Sunset Village Housing Inc.	Point Leamington	$75,000	12
CBH - St. Catherine's Haven Inc.	Port Union	$44,000	12
Total		$1,024,873	183

CBH denotes Community-Based Housing Projects

NLHC denotes NL Housing Public Rental Units